The Springfield Police Department has been cracking down on businesses still running video lottery terminals (VLTs) after the city passed a ban in February.
Police have issued at least 36 citations in violation of the new law, which banned the operation of “no-chance games,” also known as VLTs, according to a Springfield Police Department press release April 15. Officers with the Community Services Section have been tasked with enforcing the new ordinance.
Immediately after the ban was passed, stand-alone game rooms across the city began to shutter, but the machines continued to operate in other businesses. In the middle of March, a few details emerged on police investigations involving former Springfield game rooms.
Under terms of the VLT ban, a violator is subject to a minimum fine of $500 for the first offense, $1,000 for the second offense, and $1,000 and a minimum of 30 days in jail for the third; a $1,000 fine and 180 days in jail is the maximum penalty. Violations are not eligible for a suspended imposition of a sentence, and will be processed through Municipal Court.
According to the police, the following businesses have received at least one citation since the ordinance was enacted:
- Colorful Vibes, 420 S. Campbell
- Diamond Mart, 2744 E. Chestnut
- Discount Express, 3450 W. Division
- Fast & Friendly, 501 W. Chestnut Expwy
- Fast & Friendly, 3109 W. Division
- Fast & Friendly, 1451 N. Kansas Expwy
- Phillips 66, 2745 S. Campbell
- Mini Mart, 2540 N. Glenstone
- Mustang Tobacco, 1410 E. Kearney
- Puff the Magic Dragon, 1336 W. Sunshine
- Puff the Magic Dragon, 2005 E. Kearney
- Rapid Roberts, 1655 S. Kansas
- Rapid Roberts, 3106 W. Battlefield
- Rapid Roberts, 945 S. Campbell
- Rapid Roberts, 1211 E. Grand
- Signal, 427 S. Glenstone
- Smoke Science, 524 N. West Bypass
- Smoke Village, 815 S. Glenstone
- Smoker’s Depot, 1007 W. Atlantic
- Smoker’s Depot, 1322 W. Grand
- WF Codys, 3138 E. Sunshine
- White Oak Station, 2506 W. College
- White Oak Station, 1550 N. Glenstone
- White Oak Station, 2953 N. National
- Wicked Superstore, 425 E. Kearney
- Wommack Foods, 1130 N. Grant
MORE ON VLTS IN SPRINGFIELD FROM THE DAILY CITIZEN:
